It is good to be tied to a dock. While we have had some relaxing time at anchor since we left Mexico, it is not really possible to ever truly unwind and let our guard down when cruising. In the back of our minds (or more often the front!), we are always trying to heed the practical, but brilliant, advice of Roger Taylor: to keep the water out of the boat, keep the boat from hitting anything, keep the boat going (or not if at anchor), keep the crew safe and healthy, and to keep our reputation.

In the words of J.M. Synge, “A man who is not afraid of the sea will soon be drowned…for he will be going out on a day he shouldn’t. But we do who do be afraid of the sea, and we do only be drowned now and again.”

Suffice it to say, last night was the first night I slept all the way through since Mexico, and it was fantastic! Confetti is safe and secure against her fenders, and even quite at home, with lots (!) of other sea foam green-painted boats around.

This is a true international port, with mega yachts and boats from ports of call around the world. We are figuring out transportation on “Le Truck,” and finding the right places to buy fresh baguettes, goose pate and pamplemoose (the local equivalent of grapefruit).

Rylin took her leave and flew out on a midnight flight last night, bound for Seattle (just in time for the sun to come out!). And my aunt Julia flew in last night from Los Angeles. She plans to take a boat to the Tuamotu Islands for a few days, before uniting with more of our family who arrives at the end of the week to join Confetti’s next leg. Schimy is getting ready for an exploration of Moorea, the closest Society Island. Dave and Julia went this morning to the local church service, which is supposed to be a very interesting cultural experience, according to Julia’s travel-business friend.




The view of neighboring Moorea from the marina.